The tailart on Turkish F-16s is second to none in Europe in both colour as well as in design. This picture might help in the identification of the units. Thanks to Jaco Haasnoot for supplying most of the pictures.

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Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) developed the Hürkuş HYEU Forward Air Controller training aircraft to 135 Filo at Konya air base. The Hürkuş HYEU was developed from the training version of this indigenously developed trainer, the Hürkuş B. A total of six Hürkuş HYEU will be delivered to the Turkish Air Force (TurAF). HYEU stands for Hava Yer Entegrasyon Uçagi, which translates literally to Air to Ground Integration Aircraft, hinting towards the versatility of the roles which can be to train Forward Air Controllers, Forward Combat Controllers and Joint Fire Support Teams.

Turkish Air Force

Çorlu Tekirdağ (LTBU) Atatürk Int'l
RWY 04/22 POS 41°07'46"N 027°54'23"E ELEV 570 ft Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Aircraft Type(s)	Name	Tailcolour	Badge
Keşan Uçuş Eğitim ve Test Merkezi	Baykar Savunma	Test and delivery site for: Bayraktar Akıncı UCAS

Most if not all Bayraktar UAS' are delivered via Çorlu Tekirdağ Airport.

İncirlik (LTAG) Adana
RWY 05/23 POS 37°00'07"N 035°25'32"E ELEV 238 Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Aircraft Type(s)	Name	Tailcolour	Badge
10ncu Ana Jet Üs Komutanlığı	101 Filo	KC-135R	Asena

	152 Filo	F-16C-40TM F-16D-40TM	Akinci (Raiders)	ye/bk

	204 A&K Filo	AS532UL	Burak

14üncü İnsansız Uçak Sistemleri Üs Komutanlığı	302 Filo	Anka-S UCAS	Şimşek (Lightning)

"10nci Tanker Üs Komutanlığı" (10th Tanker Base Command) changed to 10nci Ana Jet Üs Komutanlığı (10th Main Jet Base Command) in April 2024 to better reflect its role. 152 Filo moved from Merzifon to Incirlik after the 15 July 2016 coup-attempt. By 2018 this move was permanent, and the unit lost the Block 30 F-16s in the process. 204 Search and Rescue squadron seems to have taken over the tradition "Burak" from former Malatya/Erhaç-based 7 AJÜ A&KK. 14üncü İnsansız Uçak Sistemleri Üs Komutanlığı is the owning and command unit of the Batman base, with squadrons at Batman and Incirlik. Batman Meydan Harekat Komutanlığı is the Batman Base Operations Command

The sole F-4E unit in the Turkish Air Force is 111 Filo and it is operating out of Eskisehir.

Turkish Air Force

A dying breed, the F-4E-2020. This special-paint Terminator was making some amazing low passes during the Anatolian Eagle exercise at Konya in 2022.

Marco Dijkshoorn

İzmir/Kakliç (LTFA) Çigli West
RWY 17/35 POS 38°31'01"N 026°58'37"E ELEV 17 ft Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Aircraft Type(s)	Name	Tailcolour	Badge
2nci Ana Jet Üssü Uçuş Eğitim Merkez Komutanliği	123 Başlangıç Eğitim Filosu	SF260D MFI-395 (o/o)	Palaz (Duckling Flt.)

	125 Nakliye ve SAR Eğitim Filosu	AS532UL CN235-100M UH-1H	Azman (Monstrous)

It is to be expected that the SF260D aircraft will be replaced by the PAC Super Mushshak trainers that were ordered in 2016. 125 Filo took over the transport role of 203 Filo that used to be at Izmir Adnan Menderes. In turn, 125 Filo was tasked with training of CN235, AS532 and UH-1H advanced training and was transferred to Konya-based 135 Filo.

125 Filo is one of the units operating the CN235M-100. It was expanded during 2009 after the disbandmend of 203 Filo at Izmir Adnan Menderes.

Marco Dijkshoorn

125 Filo operates the Cougar and the CASA/TAI CN235M-100 in the SAR, Troop Insertion and tactical transport roles.

Marco Dijkshoorn

İzmir/Çigli (LTBL)
RWY 17/35 (17L/35R) POS 38°30'47"N 027°00'36"E ELEV 16 ft Airfield Guide Show Reports Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Aircraft Type(s)	Name	Tailcolour	Badge
2nci Ana Jet Üssü Uçuş Eğitim Merkez Komutanliği	121 Tekamül Filosu	T-38M	Ari (Bee)

	122 Temel Filosu	KT-1T	Akrep (Scorpion)

	Öğretmen Yetiştirme Standardize ve Alet Filosu	aircraft on loan from 121 & 122 Filolar	Standarize (Standardization)

122 Filo was slated to receive the TAI Hürkus B but these were all sold to Africa instead.

The T-38A fleet was completely overhauled under the "Ari" (Bee) upgrade at TAI, Akinici. After the upgrade the aircraft were designated as T-38M and painted in a different livery.

Melchior Timmers

The SIAI Marchetti SF260D is the basic trainer for the TurAF, after the aspiring pilots graduate from the Hava Harp Okuly at Yalova, flying with the T-41D Mescalero, they transfer to 123 Filo "Duckling Flight" at İzmir-Kakliç.

Melchior Timmers

Ankara/Etimesgut (LTAD)
RWY 11L/29R, 11R/29L POS 39°56'59"N 032°41'19"E ELEV 2653 ft Airfield Guide Show Reports Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Aircraft Type(s)	Name	Tailcolour	Badge
11inci Hava Ulaştırma Ana Üs Komutanlığı	211 Filo	CN235-100M (Cargo and Ambulance)	Gegzin (Globetrotter)

	212 Özel Filo	Ce560 Ce650 CN235-100M G-IV G550 UH-1H	Dogan (Hawk)

	GES Hava Birligi	CN235EW (ELINT/SIGINT)

Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Başbakanlık	VIP Flt	A319-115 (ACJ) A319-133 (ACJ) A330-243 A340-542 Ce560 CL-850 G450 G550

GES = Genelkurmay Elektronik Sistemler or Joint Staff Electronics Command.

The Turkish Air Force initiated the locally designated program "Hava Platformunda Uzaktan Elektronik Destek ve Elektronik Taarruz Kabiliyeti Kazanimi Projesi" or in short, the Hava SOJ. The HAVA SOJ stand-off jammer aircraft is designed to suppress enemy air defense surveillance and long range detection and jamming missions. The platform is build on the Canadair Global 6000. This is MSN 9854 TC-SJA at Izmir Adnan Menderes in May 2020.

Berk Ürşen

High-ranking officers and VIPs are treated well. 212 Filo operates this Cessna 650

Marco Dijkshoorn

Ankara/Mürted (LTAE)
RWY 03/21 (03L/21R) POS 40°04'44"N 032°33'56"E ELEV 2767 ft Airfield Guide Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Aircraft Type(s)	Name	Tailcolour	Badge
Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI)	TAI	Various	Aircraft manufacture and overhaul

Mürted was called Akıncı before the 15th of July 2016 attempted coup d'état. After the attempted coup d'état, the units of the 4th Ana Jet Üssu (Main Jet Base) were disbanded and the airbase was closed and converted into reserve air base Mürted Hava Meydan Komutanlığı.

Eskişehir-based 113 Filo "Ceylan" (Gazelle) inherited the squadron traditions of former Akıncı-based 142 Filo when it was re-established after the attempted coup d'état. The unit previously operated the 46 former German Air Force RF-4E's.

Marco Dijkshoorn

The cockpits of the Turkish KT-1T and the T-38M are identical, making the shift from the Secondary training to Advanced as smooth as possible.

Melchior Timmers

Balıkesir (LTBF)
RWY 18/36 (18R/36L) POS 39°37'09"N 027°55'33"E ELEV 340 ft Airfield Guide Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Aircraft Type(s)	Name	Tailcolour	Badge
9uncu Ana Jet Üs Komutanlığı	191 Filo	F-16C-40TM F-16D-40TM F-16C-50TM F-16D-50TM	Kobra (Cobra)

	192 Filo	F-16C-40TM F-16D-40TM	Kaplan (Tiger)	ye/bk

	193 Eğitim Filo (OCU)	F-16C-30 F-16D-30 F-16C-50 F-16D-50	Öncel	ye/bk

191 Filo was disbanded after the coup-attempt and all the aircraft were transferred to 192 Filo during July/August 2018, the unit was re-erected in early 2021. 193 Filo received the tradition and aircraft of 153 Filo during July/August 2018. 153 Filo received its aircraft from 143 Filo in nov16. Both 143 and 153 Filos have been disbanded.

Bandırma (LTBG)
RWY 18/36 (18R/36L) POS 40°19'05"N 027°58'40"E ELEV 170 ft Airfield Guide Show Reports Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Aircraft Type(s)	Name	Tailcolour	Badge
6ncı Ana Jet Üs Komutanlığı	161 Filo	F-16C-40TM F-16D-40TM F-16C-50+ F-16D-50+	Yarasa (Bat)	wh/bk

	162 Filo	F-16C-40TM F-16D-40TM	Zipkin (Harpoon)

	6 AJÜ A&KK	AS532UL	Umut (Hope)

161 is a LANTIRN squadron and to underline the night strike mission of it, one side of its F-16’s tails are painted with hawk and the other side with a Bat (Yarasa). 162 Filo was disbanded during July/August 2018 and all the aircraft were transferred to 161 Filo. During 2022, the unit was reactivated.

Batman (LTCJ)
RWY 02/20 POS 37°55'45"N 041°06'59"E ELEV 1822 ft Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Aircraft Type(s)	Name	Tailcolour	Badge
14üncü İnsansız Uçak Sistemleri Üs Komutanlığı	1nci İnsansız Hava Aracı Filo	Unknown UCAS

	341inci Filo	Akıncı A/B UCAS Anka-S UCAS Heron I "Gozcu 1" UCAS	Gölge (Shadow)

	IHA Bakim Komutanlığı	UCAS Maintenance UCAS Overhaul

2nci IHA Filo was renumbered during June 2018 to 341 Filo. It started operating the Akıncı UCAS in 2022. IHA Bakım Komutanlığı = UAV Maintenance Unit 14üncü İnsansız Uçak Sistemleri Üs Komutanlığı is the owning and command unit of the Batman base, with squadrons at Batman and Incirlik. Batman Meydan Harekat Komutanlığı is the Batman Base Operations Command

101 Filo is one of the newest Filo's in the Turkish Air Force, operating the KC-135R in the Aerial Refueling role.

Marco Dijkshoorn

341 Filo "Gölge" is the first Air Force unit to operate the Baykar Savunma Akıncı UAV.

Marco Dijkshoorn

Diyarbakir (LTCC)
RWY 16/34, 16R/34L POS 37°53'37"N 040°12'02"E ELEV 2254 ft Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Aircraft Type(s)	Name	Tailcolour	Badge
8nci Ana Jet Üs Komutanlığı	181 Filo	F-16C-40TM F-16D-40TM F-16C-50+ F-16D-50+	Pars (Leopard)

	182 Filo	F-16C-40TM F-16D-40TM	Atmaca (Hawk)

	202 A&K Filo	AS532UL CN235-100M	Şark (East)

182 Filo F-16D touches down at Albacete, Spain during Exercise Trident Juncture in November 2015.

Jens Schymura

Diyarbakır hosts 202 Filo operating the CN235M-100, its name "Şark" means East, depicting the location on the Turkish map but it sounds like... yes, Shark.

Marco Dijkshoorn

Eskişehir (LTBI)
RWY 09/27 (09R/27L) POS 39°47'03"N 030°34'56"E ELEV 2581 ft Airfield Guide Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Aircraft Type(s)	Name	Tailcolour	Badge
1nci Ana Jet Üs Komutanlığı	111 Filo	F-4E-2020	Panter (Panter)

	113 Filo	RF-16C/D with DB-110 mods F-16C-30TM F-16C-50TM F-16D-30TM F-16D-50TM	Ceylan (Gazelle) (was Isik (Light))	rd/bk

	201 A&K Filo	AS532UL CN235-100M UH-1H	Atak (Audacious)

	311 OSEM Filo	Akıncı A/B/C + SatCom control for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)	Doruk (Peak)

	401 Test Filosu	F-4E-2020 F-16C-30 F-16C-40TM	Rüya (Dream)	or

	110 Filo	F-4E-2020 F-16C

113 "Ceylan" Filo was re-established after the failed Coup on July 15, 2016. It took over the traditions of 142 "Cylan" Filo and operates the F-16's that can be equipped with the DB-110 Recce pod. 113 Filo was disbanded in April 2014 (together with the RF-4E they operated) but was reinstated, using the F-16C/D, in 2016. 201 Filo got the A&K (Arama ve Kurtarma = Search & Rescue) designation by mid-2016. The SatCom missions of the TurAF UAV fleet operating out of Batman (341 Gölge Filo) and Incirlik (302 Simsek Filo) are controlled by OSEM Filo (similar to the USAF Creech AFB effort). 401 Filo was formed in early 2014. Its mission is Test & Evaluation of new systems and weapons. 110 Filo is a fake unit that was created for the Turkish TV show "Hür" (Free) that was shot since 2023. Multiple aircraft were painted with the unit patch and received "110-00xx" series serial numbers. Needless to say, that the series are heavily sponsored by the Turkish Ministry of Defense.

Istanbul/Atatürk (LTBA) Yesilköy
RWY 06/24, 18L/36R, 18R/36L POS 40°58'34"N 028°48'50"E ELEV 158 ft Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Aircraft Type(s)	Name	Tailcolour	Badge
Hava Harp Okulu	126 Filo	T-41D	(Sparrow Flight)

	HvHO A&KK	UH-1H

Yesilköy is the miltary part of Istanbul - Atatürk International Airport. 126 Filo (previously HvHO 5 Filo/Serçe Kol) is the only flying class. The other HvHO classes have no aircraft assigned to them but do have their own patches. 126 Filo uses Yalova, just across the Bosporus as a Forward Operating Base due to the congested airspace around Atatürk IAP.

The selection of pilots for the Turkish Air Force is done with the SZD-50-3 Puchacz gliders that are operated by the Hava Harp Okulu Planör Kampi.

TuAF picture

The T-41D is the second platform that the aspirant pilots of the Turkish Air Force will fly, after being trained on Gliders. The T-41Ds of the Hava Harp Okulu are officially operated out of Istanbul Yesilköy Hava Meydani but have regular camps on Yalova Hava Meydani, just south of Yesilköy.

Marco Dijkshoorn

Istanbul/Sabiha Gökçen (LTFJ)

Wing	Squadron	Aircraft Type(s)	Name	Tailcolour	Badge
Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Başbakanlık	VIP Flt.	B747-8ZV

Kayseri/Erkilet (LTAU)
RWY 07/25 (07L/25R) POS 38°46'13"N 035°29'44"E ELEV 3463 ft Airfield Guide Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Aircraft Type(s)	Name	Tailcolour	Badge
12nci Hava Ulaştırma Ana Üs Komutanlığı	221 Filo	A400M C-160D	Esen (Brise)

	222 Filo	C-130B C-130E	Alev (Flame)

Keşan (LTFL)
RWY 02/20, HEL POS 40°47'14"N 026°36'24"E ELEV 143 ft Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Aircraft Type(s)	Name	Tailcolour	Badge
Keşan Uçuş Eğitim ve Test Merkezi	Baykar Uçuş Okulu	Test site for: Bayraktar TB2/TB2S Baykar Gözcü Mini İHA And others

Baykar Uçuş Okulu is the test site for Baykar Savunma (Baykar Defence) Bayraktar UAS.

Konya (LTAN)
RWY 01L/19R, 01R/19L POS 37°58'41"N 032°33'42"E ELEV 3390 ft Airfield Guide Show Reports Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Aircraft Type(s)	Name	Tailcolour	Badge
3ncü Ana Jet Üs Komutanlığı	131 Filo	E-7T (B737AEW&C)	Ejder (Dragon)

	132 Filo	F-16C-30TM F-16D-30TM F-16C-50 F-16D-50	Hançer (Dagger)

	134 (Akrotim) Filo	NF-5A-2000 NF-5B-2000	Türk Yildizlari (Turkish Stars)

	135 Pk ve İHK Filo	AS532AL AS532UL CN235-100M T-70	Ates (Fire)

132 Filo at Konya transferred its F-4E-2020 to 111 Filo at Eskisehir during 2014. Its mission was changed from Weapons, Tactics & Test to Combat. The TurAF marketing machine Solotürk has moved from Mürted to Konya in July 2016 and is now operating under 132 Filo. The unit received Block 30 F-16s from 153 Filo when that was disbanded. 3 AJÜ A&KK was renamed to 135 Filo in 2010.

135 Filo Ates (Fire) operates the CASA/TAI CN235M-100 in the tactical Transport Role.

Marco Dijkshoorn

Four 131 Filo Boeing 737 AEW&C Peace Eagle aircraft (locally designated E-7T) along with ground support systems were delivered to the Turkish Air Force from September 2007.

Marco Dijkshoorn

Merzifon (LTAP) Amasya
RWY 05/23 (05L/23R) POS 40°49'44"N 035°31'18"E ELEV 1783 Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Aircraft Type(s)	Name	Tailcolour	Badge
5nci Ana Jet Üs Komutanlığı	151 Filo	F-16C-40TM F-16D-40TM F-16C-50TM F-16D-50TM	Savasan Kurt (Fighting Wolf), was Tunç (Bronze)	rd/bk

	203 A&K Filo	AS532UL	Melek (Angel)

After the July 2016 coup, 151 Filo was named "Fighting Wolves", contrary to Anatolian Wolves that was used before for 141 Filo. During 2017/2018 it received Block 40 F-16sbesides classical HARM-armed Block 50s. 5 AJÜ A&KK was renamed 203 A&K Filo

Muğla/Dalaman (LTBS)
RWY 01L/19R, 01R/19L POS 36°42'45"N 028°47'29"E ELEV 20 ft Airfield Guide Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Aircraft Type(s)	Name	Tailcolour	Badge
14üncü İnsansız Uçak Sistemleri Üs Komutanlığı	3ncü İnsansız Hava Aracı Filo Komutanlığı	Harpy UCAS (Anka UCAS)

14üncü İnsansız Uçak Sistemleri Üs Komutanlığı is the owning and command unit of the Batman base, with squadrons at Batman and Incirlik. Batman Meydan Harekat Komutanlığı is the Batman Base Operations Command

Yalova (LTBP)
RWY 08/26, 18/36 POS 40°41'04"N 029°22'33"E ELEV 6 ft Airfield Guide Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Aircraft Type(s)	Name	Tailcolour	Badge
Hava Harp Okulu	Planör Kampi	SZD50-3	Marti (Seagull)

	126 Filo (det.)	MFI-395 T-41D

5 Filo/Serçe Kol was renamed 126 Filo.

Turkish Air Force

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